free variable

ecto

Erik Barzeski and John Gruber posted about the ecto-illumineX deal earlier today. Since a lot of people are now arriving here via searches for “ecto illumineX,” I’d like to draw attention to this comment from illumineX CEO Gary Longsine, who claims that active development will continue and we have nothing to fear. I also am encouraged that it appears (based on Ado’s reply to my initial query on the ecto forum) that he will continue developing ecto in some capacity.

My take is this: I haven’t bought a MarsEdit license yet. ecto 3 is turning into a great tool, and I’m inclined to give Gary the benefit of the doubt — especially since he indicates that he has big (and specific) plans for ecto.

Why am I concerned? Try following this similar situation to its unfortunate conclusion. I use and love ecto, and I’ve recommended it to a lot of people, most of whom use it. Here’s hoping illumineX will be better for ecto than they were for the FSS stuff, and best wishes to Ado. (I am thankful that the current version of ecto 3 is functional and works with contemporary Macs and Leopard.)

UPDATE: thanks to Gary Longsine for some more information. UPDATE 2: Erik Barzeski also weighs in, as does someone whose time might be better spent contacting Barzeski directly.